Big Camp Big Horns 2016
As a diversion and a great cover up for our recent Surprise Sedona Trip, Brian had our big camp planned well in advance this year and made reservations back in January.
Our first three nights were just south of Burgess Junction in a campground called Tie Flume. It was the weekend before the 4th of July, so there were a lot of ATVs and fellow campers, or “new friends” as Ellie likes to call them. We got a little bit of stream fishing in and a few camp fires but summer in the mountains means evening thunderstorms and fun for four all in one camper. The neatest thing we saw were six moose on the first day (and not another one the entire week).
Since we knew we would be by a lake at the tail end of our camp, we chose to get a couple big hikes crossed off of our list early and started with Black Mountain Lookout. It is a shorter hike but it gets pretty steep at the top and the look out tower is perched up high on a pile of rocks which requires some boldering to get to. It took us about 10,000 steps to get up to 10,000 feet in elevation.
The next day we decided to conquer the hike up to Medicine Wheel in the morning before it got too windy, since that is what stopped us when we tried two years ago. It was another short, less strenuous hike with amazing views of peaks and valleys.
After some tailgating lunch, we dropped down to see Shell Falls and ended up in Greybull, Wyoming, with hopes to find some ice cream to celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day. The drive was a huge success if you are 2 and 6, and don’t mind convenient store ice cream. A couple of us were a tad disappointed that the A&W was closed for the 4th.
Down We Go
The next day we packed up camp and headed down the other side of the mountain for a night in Cody, Wyoming. We couldn’t think of a better way to burn up a few free hours than a friendly game of putt-putt golf in the city park, which brought back some great laughs from games in the past.
After dinner we geared up and headed for The Cody Night Rodeo. With cotton candy, pop corn and sodas in hand, we enjoyed watching the cowboys, cowgirls and rough stock. Ellie was even brave enough to head down to the arena by her self and chase the cows. She didn’t catch the ribbon on the tail, but she did hold her own and out ran a few little cowboys.
Back Up Again
The next morning we headed back up the mountain to what we have declared as our “favorite spot” — Sibley Lake — where we got in some more fishing, hiking and relaxing. We were able to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary with a relaxing hike around the entire lake in the morning. It was fun to have the little ducklings follow us in the water and see all of the hard work the beavers have put in. In the evening, everyone made this mama happy with great smile and shots for our yearly Family Photo Shoot. We greatly enjoyed our three days around this serine little lake.
For the little that we do when we are there, we just love the Big Horns. Perhaps it is our Wyoming roots, the short travel time to get there, the cool mountain air, or the forced technology fast — but we’ll be going back again and again. God has truly blessed this little nook and we are grateful to be able to take advantage of it.
A Lot More Pics Of This Big Camp
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